CPT code 11920: Skin tattooing, up to 6 square centimeters2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Montana
Reports intradermal pigment placement to camouflage a skin color defect when the treated area measures 6 square centimeters or less.
In Montana, Medicare pays $216.42 for 11920 in the office and $102.52 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 11920 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 11920 covers
This service places insoluble pigment within the skin to improve the appearance of a color difference, such as a hypopigmented or hyperpigmented scar. Dermatologists and plastic surgeons may perform it in an office or other treatment setting. The treated surface area, rather than the number of pigment passes, determines whether this small-area code fits. Tattooing used to create or restore color is distinct from injecting medication into a lesion or placing filler beneath the skin.
Report this code when the total area treated is 6 square centimeters or less; document the defect, treated site, and measured area. Medicare payment is restricted to specific circumstances. The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard multiple-procedure reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documented medical necessity; co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.
This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.
How Montana compares for 11920
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 11920 runs from $190.10 in Arkansas to $286.22 in San Benito County, CA. Montana pays $216.42. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Montana · this page$216.42
- Los Angeles, CA · California$243.75+$27.33
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$247.85+$31.43
- Miami, FL · Florida$237.08+$20.66
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$229.69+$13.27
- Manhattan, NY · New York$250.33+$33.91
- Alaska · Alaska$248.51+$32.09
Other areas in Montana first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $193.05 | $93.39 |
| ArkansasArkansas | $190.10 | $92.26 |
| ArizonaArizona | $210.30 | $99.93 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $228.62 | $103.79 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $227.84 | $103.00 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $227.88 | $103.05 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $227.84 | $103.00 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $227.84 | $103.00 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $227.84 | $103.00 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $227.84 | $103.00 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $227.84 | $103.00 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $264.32 | $114.20 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $242.53 | $107.90 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $227.84 | $103.00 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $227.84 | $103.00 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $230.85 | $106.02 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $239.19 | $106.73 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $238.31 | $106.31 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $244.04 | $107.82 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $279.76 | $119.17 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $279.45 | $118.85 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $286.22 | $121.98 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $284.92 | $120.68 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $234.49 | $104.76 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $246.45 | $108.06 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $239.24 | $106.43 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $248.93 | $109.07 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $227.84 | $103.00 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $263.86 | $113.74 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $227.84 | $103.00 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $227.84 | $103.00 |
| ColoradoColorado | $224.92 | $103.73 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $231.36 | $108.69 |
| DelawareDelaware | $213.90 | $101.37 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $226.00 | $110.63 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $214.34 | $105.45 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $220.95 | $105.23 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $201.53 | $99.94 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $233.69 | $104.19 |
| IowaIowa | $197.65 | $93.44 |
| IdahoIdaho | $199.14 | $94.35 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $213.55 | $108.76 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $208.25 | $104.26 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $228.20 | $111.23 |
| IndianaIndiana | $200.34 | $94.76 |
| KansasKansas | $196.95 | $93.99 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $198.48 | $97.22 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $208.59 | $101.41 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $198.26 | $97.46 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $247.56 | $111.57 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $223.57 | $103.64 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $230.78 | $108.57 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $218.05 | $102.79 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $200.53 | $95.75 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $211.60 | $98.72 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $217.44 | $107.53 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $204.19 | $100.20 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $214.34 | $97.14 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $206.79 | $99.84 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $209.03 | $100.60 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $194.85 | $96.67 |
| MississippiMississippi | $192.50 | $94.44 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $202.70 | $96.43 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $210.88 | $96.99 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $198.71 | $93.59 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $221.61 | $103.04 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $245.12 | $113.00 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $233.67 | $109.29 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $205.48 | $101.04 |
| NevadaNevada | $215.03 | $101.02 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $257.04 | $121.61 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $235.45 | $110.74 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $252.07 | $117.45 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $205.93 | $97.73 |
| OhioOhio | $203.06 | $99.07 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $197.81 | $96.10 |
| Portland, OROregon | $232.05 | $105.51 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $213.04 | $99.60 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $225.53 | $106.96 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $203.24 | $98.68 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $218.00 | $102.85 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $221.53 | $103.87 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $203.28 | $98.04 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $210.23 | $96.33 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $198.03 | $94.50 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $224.45 | $103.94 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $201.86 | $98.21 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $213.41 | $100.54 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $214.96 | $101.52 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $213.54 | $101.24 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $214.17 | $101.07 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $219.29 | $106.19 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $207.64 | $99.56 |
| UtahUtah | $206.21 | $99.14 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $211.06 | $99.10 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $218.00 | $102.85 |
| VermontVermont | $210.27 | $97.51 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $223.08 | $103.15 |
| King County, WAWashington | $252.45 | $112.70 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $203.47 | $94.36 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $200.21 | $101.23 |
| WyomingWyoming | $214.01 | $100.11 |
11920 rates by state
Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.
Explore a state
Local rates. Clear comparisons.
Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.
$190.10
$257.03
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $248.51 | 1 |
| AL | $193.05 | 1 |
| AR | $190.10 | 1 |
| AZ | $210.30 | 1 |
| CA | $227.84–$286.22 | 29 |
| CO | $224.92 | 1 |
| CT | $231.36 | 1 |
| DC | $247.85 | 1 |
| DE | $213.90 | 1 |
| FL | $214.34–$237.08 | 3 |
| GA | $201.53–$220.95 | 2 |
| GU | $233.69 | 1 |
| HI | $233.69 | 1 |
| IA | $197.65 | 1 |
| ID | $199.14 | 1 |
| IL | $208.25–$229.69 | 4 |
| IN | $200.34 | 1 |
| KS | $196.95 | 1 |
| KY | $198.48 | 1 |
| LA | $198.26–$208.59 | 2 |
| MA | $223.57–$247.56 | 2 |
| MD | $218.05–$247.85 | 3 |
| ME | $200.53–$211.60 | 2 |
| MI | $204.19–$217.44 | 2 |
| MN | $214.34 | 1 |
| MO | $194.85–$209.03 | 3 |
| MS | $192.50 | 1 |
| MT | $216.42 | 1 |
| NC | $202.70 | 1 |
| ND | $210.88 | 1 |
| NE | $198.71 | 1 |
| NH | $221.61 | 1 |
| NJ | $233.67–$245.12 | 2 |
| NM | $205.48 | 1 |
| NV | $215.03 | 1 |
| NY | $205.93–$257.04 | 5 |
| OH | $203.06 | 1 |
| OK | $197.81 | 1 |
| OR | $213.04–$232.05 | 2 |
| PA | $203.24–$225.53 | 2 |
| PR | $218.00 | 1 |
| RI | $221.53 | 1 |
| SC | $203.28 | 1 |
| SD | $210.23 | 1 |
| TN | $198.03 | 1 |
| TX | $201.86–$224.45 | 8 |
| UT | $206.21 | 1 |
| VA | $211.06–$247.85 | 2 |
| VI | $218.00 | 1 |
| VT | $210.27 | 1 |
| WA | $223.08–$252.45 | 2 |
| WI | $203.47 | 1 |
| WV | $200.21 | 1 |
| WY | $214.01 | 1 |
How the 11920 rate is calculated
Each of 11920’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.
How the rate is built · 11920
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.57
1.57 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense4.63
4.63 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.28
0.28 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
6.4800
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$216.44
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Montana inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
1,381
- Code
- 11920
- Physician work
- 1.57
- Practice expense
- 4.63
- Malpractice
- 0.28
GPCI2026.csv
71
- Locality
- Montana
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 1.000
- Malpractice
- 0.998
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 1.57 | × 1.000 | 1.5700 |
| Practice expense | 4.63 | × 1.000 | 4.6300 |
| Malpractice | 0.28 | × 0.998 | 0.2794 |
| Total RVUs | 6.4794 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Montana$216.42
Office: (1.57 × 1 + 4.63 × 1 + 0.28 × 0.998) × $33.4009 = $216.42
Facility: (1.57 × 1 + 1.22 × 1 + 0.28 × 0.998) × $33.4009 = $102.52
Payment rules and modifiers for 11920
The CMS indicators that decide how 11920 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 11920
Skin tattooing, up to 6 square centimeters
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 000 | Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
11920 without 51 · national office
$216.44
Skin tattooing, up to 6 square centimeters
11920-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$108.22
When this isn’t the highest-valued procedure in the session, Medicare pays 50% of its fee schedule amount (the highest is paid at 100%).
How 11920 has changed in Montana
11920 · Office / nonfacility
$216.42
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $22.22 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $194.20 to $216.42 (11.4%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
One bar per available release, ordered by effective date. Missing rates remain gaps. These comparisons hold the code, setting and locality identifiers constant; they do not isolate which policy or input caused a change.
What changed, release by release
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$194.20changed to$216.42
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 1.61 changed to 1.57
- Practice expense RVU 4.11 changed to 4.63
- Malpractice RVU 0.29 changed to 0.28
- Malpractice GPCI 0.978 changed to 0.998
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$200.84changed to$194.20
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 4.13 changed to 4.11
- Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.29
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$197.56changed to$200.84
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$195.34changed to$197.56
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 3.90 changed to 4.13
- Malpractice RVU 0.26 changed to 0.30
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$200.50changed to$195.34
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 3.92 changed to 3.90
- Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.26
- Malpractice GPCI 0.977 changed to 0.978
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$198.33changed to$200.50
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 3.81 changed to 3.92
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$195.43changed to$198.33
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 3.44 changed to 3.81
- Malpractice RVU 0.28 changed to 0.27
- Malpractice GPCI 1.304 changed to 0.977
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$189.71changed to$195.43
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 3.23 changed to 3.44
- Malpractice RVU 0.26 changed to 0.28
- Malpractice GPCI 1.631 changed to 1.304
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$182.66changed to$189.71
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 3.04 changed to 3.23
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$177.35changed to$182.66
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 2.96 changed to 3.04
- Malpractice GPCI 1.429 changed to 1.631
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$174.32changed to$177.35
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 2.94 changed to 2.96
- Malpractice GPCI 1.226 changed to 1.429
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$176.03changed to$174.32
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
- Practice expense RVU 2.97 changed to 2.94
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$175.15changed to$176.03
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$174.44changed to$175.15
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Practice expense RVU 2.91 changed to 2.97
- Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.26
- Malpractice GPCI 1.165 changed to 1.226
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$177.67changed to$174.44
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 3.27 changed to 2.91
- Malpractice RVU 0.31 changed to 0.30
- Malpractice GPCI 1.103 changed to 1.165
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $177.67
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $216.42 | $102.52 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $216.42 | $102.52 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $216.42 | $102.52 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $216.42 | $102.52 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $194.20 | $111.07 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $194.20 | $111.07 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $194.20 | $111.07 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $194.20 | $111.07 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $200.84 | $113.29 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $200.84 | $113.29 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $200.84 | $113.29 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $200.84 | $113.29 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $197.56 | $111.44 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $195.34 | $109.60 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $195.34 | $109.60 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $195.34 | $109.60 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $195.34 | $109.60 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $200.50 | $111.22 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $200.50 | $111.22 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $200.50 | $111.22 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $200.50 | $111.22 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $198.33 | $112.14 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $198.33 | $112.14 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $198.33 | $112.14 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $198.33 | $112.14 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $195.43 | $119.64 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $195.43 | $119.64 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $195.43 | $119.64 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $195.43 | $119.64 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $189.71 | $122.68 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $189.71 | $122.68 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $189.71 | $122.68 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $189.71 | $122.68 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $182.66 | $123.98 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $182.66 | $123.98 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $182.66 | $123.98 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $182.66 | $123.98 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $177.35 | $121.36 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $177.35 | $121.36 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $177.35 | $121.36 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $177.35 | $121.36 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $174.32 | $118.83 | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $174.32 | $118.83 | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $174.32 | $118.83 | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $174.32 | $118.83 | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $176.03 | $119.61 | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $176.03 | $119.61 | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $175.15 | $119.02 | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $175.15 | $119.02 | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $174.44 | $119.99 | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $174.44 | $119.99 | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $174.44 | $119.99 | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $174.44 | $119.99 | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $177.67 | $118.47 | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $177.67 | $118.47 | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $177.67 | $118.47 | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $177.67 | $118.47 | RVU13AR |
Where the Montana rate applies
Montana is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 497 cities and communities in Montana. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Absarokee
- Acton
- Alberton
- Alder
- Alzada
- Amsterdam
- Anaconda-Deer Lodge County
- Antelope
11920 billing questions
How is this code distinguished from 11921?
Use 11920 for a treated area of 6 square centimeters or less. Code 11921 is for an area from 6.1 through 20 square centimeters.
How is the treated area counted?
Select the code based on the surface area receiving pigment, not the number of lesions, pigment passes, or separate needle placements. Document the measured area and the skin site.
Can 11922 be reported with this code?
11922 is an add-on for additional area beyond the primary tattooing range; it is reported with 11921 when the total area exceeds 20 square centimeters, not with 11920 alone.
Is modifier 50 appropriate for treatment on both sides?
No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this descriptor or anatomy. Report the service based on the total treated area.
What does the 0-day global period include?
Same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. No postoperative global days extend beyond the date of service.
What documentation supports Medicare payment?
Document the skin color defect, its location, the area treated in square centimeters, and the medical circumstances supporting the service. Medicare payment is restricted to specific circumstances.
Where these rates come from
FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.
CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027
Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
Fee sheets · Coming soon
Put 11920 and the rest of your codes on one sheet
Your codes at your locality, with payer contracts beside Medicare.
Join the waitlist